Luca’s gaze flicked to the stairs that led up to their bedroom. It was almost like he could feel her down the hall. “Yes.” He didn’t hesitate to make that decision because this wasn’t a place for her. He didn’t want her in the middle of what he was about to do.
Dante nodded and turned to leave. “Dante,” Luca called.
He stopped but didn’t turn back. “Yeah?”
“I want no survivors left on the Romano’s side.”
“Understood,” Dante agreed. The door shut, and just like that, everything was set in place. He was going to end this war, one way or another. It was the only way that he’d be able to keep Isabella safe, and she was his top priority now.
Luca found her exactly where he expected—in the master bedroom. She wasn’t pacing the room, but just standing at the window again. He couldn’t tell if she was watching the commotion downstairs or thinking.
He stepped inside without knocking. “You’re going,” she breathed. It wasn’t a question. She didn’t turn to look at him, and that left Luca out in the cold. He could usually tell what she was thinking by looking at her face, but right now, he was in the dark.
“Yes,” he admitted.
“When will you leave?” she asked.
“Now,” he said.
She exhaled slowly, not seeming surprised by his answer. “And what happens to Serge when all this is over?” That was a question that he didn’t want to answer, but he would. She deserved his honesty.
“He doesn’t walk away from this,” he said. That seemed to get her attention because she finally turned and locked eyes with him.
“You’re going to kill him,” she said.
“Yes,” he admitted.
Her jaw tightened, but she didn’t look away. “Good.” She sounded different this time—colder, and more final. He could tell that she meant it.
Luca stepped closer, watching her carefully. “You don’t leave this room,” he said.
“I know,” she breathed.
“You don’t open the door for anyone but Dante or me,” he insisted.
“I know,” she said. “If something goes wrong?—”
“It won’t,” he said, cutting her off.
“You don’t get to promise that,” she added.
“I don’t make promises that I can’t keep,” he said.
“Then don’t start now.” Silence stretched between them, and Luca stepped closer. He was close enough that he could see the shift in her breathing, and the way her pulse kicked just slightly faster.
“Say it,” she said quietly.
His brow lifted. “Say what?” he asked.
“Say that you’re coming back to me, Luca,” she demanded.
Luca didn’t answer right away, because that wasn’t something he said lightly. Hell, he had never made anyone a promise like that before, because he couldn’t predict the future. Her eyes held his. “Luca,” she said.
His jaw tightened. “I’m coming back.” Her shoulders dropped just slightly as though she was relieved.
“Good,” she said. “Because if you don’t—” She didn’t finish what she was about to say, but she didn’t need to. He understood everything.
Luca’s hand came up, gripping her jaw lightly, tilting her face up toward his. “Stay here,” he said, sealing his lips over hers. It wasn’t a request. This time, it was a directive, and his word was final.
